Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-03-25

Nlnipn Vi th' l0hpithN NOuie III tliC tf's
against Long, and also the opinion writ.
ten by Justice Reade, Of the Supreme
Court, some years ago in the Georges
homestead case. The latter decision
was that the decision OF the Supreme
Court was law in this State until the
Supreme Court Of the United States
decided specifically to the contrary.
ROBBERY.
News was received here to-day of Q
highway robbery committed three
miles from this city late yesterday az
ternoon. Wilson Womble, a well-to-do
farmer, was the victim. There were
two highwaymen. They took Mr..
Womble's pocket-book and its contents.
A man in wagon behind MIR. Womble
fired at them, but missed.
CUT OUT OF JAIL.
This afternoon two white prisoners
cut their way through the brick wal
of the Jail, which is in the heart OF the
city. One of them--a young man
from Rhode Island--was recaptured,
The other is being pursued by a posse.
Both men claimed to be sick, and were
permitted to leave their cells and go
into the corridor.
1t is learned here that Mr.. Prowell,
of Pennsylvania, has been chosen pre-
sident OF Trinity College. He is 9
graduate of Yale College, and is SAID
to be an able man.
Edgar Hocutt, mail-carrier in Pen
der county, while attempting to eros
a bridge was thrown over the railing
by his frightened horse. The ANNA
fell upon Hocutt, whose cries for hell
brought aid. He was almost drowned
when rescued. His injuries are seri
GUS. His escape is a miracle.
The BAPTIST sUNDAY-scHooL CONVEX
TIoN.
This convention, or institute, be
gan this evening at Burwell Hall, Hen
derson. The session opened with de
votional exercises, after which an ad
dress was delivered on Encourage
ments TO Best Work. Many Sunday
school teachers are present The insti
tute closes Sunday. The programme
is well arranged and interesting. Many
earnest Baptist workers are in attend
ance.
CROP NEWS.
Better reports are coming in regard
ing the wheat crop west of the Blue
Ridge.
The corn crop this year will be some
what over the average, it is calculated
The Agricultural Department has
made good progress in its analyses Of
fertilizers for this season, and the re
suits are published. The use of home
made fertilizers is certainly larger this
year than at any time since the war.
GENERAL ITEMS.
The people of Wilmington to-day
voted for aldermen and members of the
Board OF Audit and Finance.
There was an election in New Hano'
yer county to-day on the question Of
the issue Of 100000 in bonds by that
county as subscription to the capita
stock of the Wilmington, Onslow ant
East Carolina railway. The scheme is
popular and was no doubt carried,
though the official vote is not yet an
nounced.
PERSONAL.
Rev. William b. Gordon, of the
Episcopal Church, who has been made
bishop at the City of Mexico, is native
of Elizabeth City, this State, and
studied for the ministry at Newberne
For time he was at Norfolk, then on
the Eastern Shore, and later in Della.
ware.
RAILWAY NEWS.
The item of news, first published in
the Dispatch, concerning the new line
Of railway from Richmond to Augusta
ria Raleigh, excites great deal of at
tention here as well as i'll South Caro-
lima and Georgia. Augusta is delighted
at the coming of the new road. The
matter had been kept secret until pub
lished by the Dispatch.
A SINGULAR WILL.
In Jones county a singular will case
is being tried in the Superior Court
Last autumn Frank Scoville, man Of
some property, called on several per
sons to witness his signature to blank
sheet of paper. They inquired why he
desired this done. His reply was at
is one of my tricks" Two or three day:
later Scoville blew out his brains with q
revolver. His will was found on his
bureau, and not among his valuable
papers. 1t was written on the same
sheet of paper to which witnesses had
affixed their signature. The will is
and the question arises, Wa:
it necessary for the witnesses to see the
will, read IT, and know that it was will
to make it valid will ? The contes
tants claim that the "trick " witnessed
was not will.
CURRENT INFORMATION.
Governor Scales hopes that the extra
session of the Legislature, about which
there has been a good deal of talk, will
not be necessary. Speaking of the
possible loss of the revenue from drum
mers' licenses, which is $780, 900 Tin.
Guiding fertilizer-licenses), he expressed
the fear that the Department of Agri-
culture might suffer. OF the .Sl20, 0OC
1856, 900 is devoted to the payment OF
interest, and the remainder. derived
from fertilizer-licenses, goes to the Ag-
ricultural Department and the Agricul-
tural and Mechanical College.
The bulletin of the Agricultural De-
partment, issued yesterday, puts the
official prices of fertilizers as shadG
lower than last season. Phosphates, Il
says. are lower, and available phospho.
ric acid is rated at 81 cents per pound
against "a last season. Ammonia Is still
worth 16 cents per pound, and potash
5 cents.
The work of rebuilding the Pioneel
shuttle block, bobbin and spool-fac
tory at this place (Which was burned
last autumn) is expected to begin soon
It's capacity will be doubled.
1t is learned that several toyns IN thu
State are making arrangements TO sup
ply pressing need by purchasing fir
apparatus. The recent disastrous fire
have very properly frightened them.
The health of Captain John b. Bur
well, one of the principals OF Peace In
stitute, this city, has improved. III
hoo bean in n nuite critical condition.